less than uniform

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than uniform" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not have a consistent or even quality or appearance. Example: "The results of the experiment were less than uniform, indicating variability in the data collected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Most nanowires currently tend to be less than uniform in shape, he said, but Dr. Belcher has produced highly regular forms.

The New York Times - Tech

It also was shown that graded cuboid with dimensions of 4 × 4 × 4 wavelength may has FWHM of a jet less than uniform cuboid with dimensions of 1 × 1 × 1 wavelength.

Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures

Differential discounting, with discount rates for health benefits lower than for costs, would certainly devalue future health benefits by much less than uniform discounting does.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Such analyses, generally used to develop hypotheses, are seen as less reliable than uniform controlled studies.

The New York Times

This property is less stringent than uniform convexity (see [13], Section 2.3, page 92).

Mathematical Sciences

Since non-uniform delay is more general and less focused than uniform delay, this paper concentrates on the stability of high-order neutral functional differential equations (HNFDE) with non-uniform delay, and proposes a sufficient condition for it.

Chaos, Solitons & Fractals

attacks with uniform noise are very effective for given distortion compared to other attacks, attacks with Gaussian noise are considerably less effective than Uniform noise, and inferior to several other attacks studied, for few pirates the distortion/error rate trade-off is much steeper for MMX-1 than for the noise attack, and it outperforms it at high distortion (150 200).

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Class B's are less-than-dress uniforms; Spath had, apparently, spotted officers assigned to the Military Commissions Defense Organization, which manages the cases for defendants like Nashiri and five accused 9/11 plotters, wearing them in his courtroom.

The New Yorker

Where Roth's characters are nothing more nor less than their uniform and sash, Márai's are filled out with every kind of repellent habit.

The Guardian - Books

That means the bishops cannot settle for anything less than a uniform, enforceable code of behavior and punishment applicable to all of the country's 194 Roman Catholic dioceses.

The New York Times

In addition those willing to pay less than the uniform price are simply left out, even though they may be willing to pay enough to allow costs to be covered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than uniform", ensure the context clearly defines what aspect lacks uniformity. For example, specify if it refers to size, shape, distribution, or quality to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "less than uniform" without specifying the attribute being compared. Saying "the results were less than uniform" is vague. Instead, clarify: "the results were less than uniform in terms of accuracy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than uniform" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes a quality of something by indicating it possesses a lower degree of uniformity compared to an implied or stated standard. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies nouns like "nanowires", "distribution", and "estimates".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than uniform" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to describe something lacking consistency or evenness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not overly common, it is appropriately applied across science and news media, making it a versatile phrase for describing deviations from expected uniformity. Remember to specify the attribute lacking uniformity to avoid vagueness, and consider alternatives like "non-uniform" or "inconsistent" depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking uniformity

A more explicit way to state the absence of uniformity.

non-uniform

A direct antonym indicating the absence of uniformity.

uneven

Emphasizes the lack of evenness or regularity.

irregular

Highlights the lack of a consistent pattern or form.

inconsistent

Focuses on the lack of consistency in quality or behavior.

not consistent

Similar to inconsistent, emphasizing a lack of predictability or sameness.

variable

Stresses the changing nature and lack of fixed quality.

patchy

Suggests an uneven distribution, with some areas different from others.

heterogeneous

Implies a mixture of different qualities or elements, lacking uniformity.

disparate

Highlights the distinct and different nature of elements, leading to a lack of uniformity.

FAQs

How can I use "less than uniform" in a sentence?

You can use "less than uniform" to describe something that lacks consistency or evenness. For example, "The quality of the products was "less than uniform", with some items being significantly better than others."

What are some alternatives to "less than uniform"?

Alternatives include "non-uniform", "uneven", or "inconsistent", depending on the specific context. These options emphasize the lack of regularity or consistency.

Which is correct, "less than uniform" or "not as uniform as"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Less than uniform" directly states a lack of uniformity, while "not as uniform as" implies a comparison to a standard or expectation. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "less than uniform" and "lacking uniformity"?

"Less than uniform" is a comparative statement, whereas "lacking uniformity" is a direct statement of absence. The former implies a degree of uniformity exists but is insufficient, while the latter states that uniformity is absent.